Pernod Ricard: one of the Top 20 most innovative companies in the world

09/19/2012

The American magazine Forbes confirms that innovation is at the heart of the Group’s premium strategy by ranking Pernod Ricard at 15th place among the most innovative companies in the world, 2nd place in Europe and 1st in France.

Pernod Ricard, the industry leader in premium Wines and Spirits, is included in the ranking of the most innovative companies in the world (“World’s most innovative companies”) established by the American weekly magazine Forbes:

one place above last year’s ranking among global companies, moving into 15th place,

second among European groups, after the British company ARM (10th worldwide),

at the top of the podium among French companies, ahead of Danone (25th worldwide), Essilor International (28th worldwide), L’Oréal (34th worldwide) and LVMH (71st worldwide).

Pernod Ricard also tops the list of Groups in the drinks industry, ahead of China’s Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye Yibin, ranked 18th and 20th, respectively, and Britain’s Diageo (33th).

This ranking is performed annually by two Harvard professors and innovation specialists, Hal Gregersen and Jeff Dyer, authors of the reference book, The Innovators DNA.

In the article on Pernod Ricard, Samantha Sharf writes that “when it comes to innovation, Europe’s number two is looking to operate more like a tech company.” Read the full article at: http://blogs.forbes.com/samanthasharf/

Pernod Ricard intends to use this ranking to emphasise how innovation, and especially marketing innovation, is a mainstay of its strategy of building strong premium international brands. Whether for product or packaging innovation, consumption patterns or communication campaigns, Pernod Ricard’s innovation policy redefines the contours of a brand and reinterprets its codes.

Thierry Billot, Managing Director for Brands, on this occasion said, “moving up one in the rankings from last year’s already strong performance is something for the Group and its brands to be really proud of. This is the result of a systematic policy of innovation supported by an entire creative ecosystem within the company, which we have built over the last few years.”

According to Martin Riley, Chief Marketing Officer for the Group: “Innovation is part of the Group’s daily life. We are currently working on over 300 innovative projects. Innovation is the responsibility of all of us at Pernod Ricard and is resolutely action-oriented.”

Alain Dufossé, Managing Director of the Breakthrough Innovation Group explains: “BIG was created 6 months ago and is an innovative creation in itself. It is a stand-alone structure, outside the company’s traditional organisation, a homing device seeking out innovation, a free electron with the task of working on breakthrough ideas both in terms of products and services”.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of € 7,643 million in 2010/11. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate (formerly Montana), Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of nearly 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 70 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.